The United States has documented more than 2,000 confirmed measles cases in 2024, approaching the total of 2,228 cases recorded in 2025 and positioning this year to potentially become the worst for measles outbreaks in decades.

The measles outbreak has been driven by declining vaccination rates and continues to spread primarily in unvaccinated and under-vaccinated communities. Infants who are too young to receive vaccinations remain particularly vulnerable to the highly contagious virus.

Public health officials report that state responses to the outbreak have been hampered by reductions in federal funding for public health programs. The outbreak highlights ongoing challenges related to vaccine hesitancy and public health infrastructure in the United States.

In a separate development affecting vaccine policy, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released new maternal vaccine recommendations Wednesday that mark the first time the organization has diverged from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance.

ACOG's recommended schedule includes four vaccines during pregnancy: influenza, COVID-19, tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis, and respiratory syncytial virus vaccination to protect developing fetuses. The organization's decision to issue independent guidance represents a notable departure from typical alignment with federal health agencies.

Both developments underscore ongoing debates and challenges surrounding vaccination policy and public health coordination at federal and state levels.